DÁIL ÉIREANN

Déardaoin, 10 Nollaig, 2020 Thursday, 10th December, 2020

CEISTEANNA QUESTIONS

79 DÁIL ÉIREANN 3717 Déardaoin, 10 Nollaig, 2020 Thursday, 10th December, 2020

CEISTEANNA I gCOMHAIR FREAGRA Ó BHÉAL QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt: To the Minister for Justice.

1. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of vacant positions currently in the judiciary in all courts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42653/20]

2. To ask the Minister for Justice the plans in place to mark the centenary of the foundation of An Garda Síochána in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41671/20]

3. To ask the Minister for Justice if the Courts Service has the resources required to deal with the backlog of cases in courts due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [42654/20]

4. To ask the Minister for Justice the strategic measures her Department is taking to tackle and prevent burglaries in rural Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41657/20]

5. To ask the Minister for Justice when legislation will be brought forward to deal with the 2014 ruling by the Court of Justice which ruled that legislation here regarding the retention of phone records and other personal data amounted to mass state surveillance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Kenny. [42655/20]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt: To the Minister for Justice.

6. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to deal with white collar crime including the resourcing of State agencies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41561/20]

7. To ask the Minister for Justice if consideration will be given to extending the temporary online application process for international student graduates seeking to avail of the third level graduate scheme but are unable to renew in person as they are outside of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42158/20]

P.T.O 3718

8. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she has taken to tackle the rising incidents of knife crime and seizures of knives in communities across Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41547/20]

9. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will address the issue of parent alienation; if her attention has been drawn to this issue; her plans to address same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42208/20]

10. To ask the Minister for Justice if her office will allow deportations of failed applicants for international protection to take place during the Covid-19 crisis or if a halt to deportations only applies to level 5 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [42528/20]

11. To ask the Minister for Justice the actions she will take to address the rising levels of domestic violence in Carlow; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [42420/20]

12. To ask the Minister for Justice the arrangements which have been made for personal visits by families to prisoners at Christmas due to the Covid 19 crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [41112/20]

13. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the campaign to posthumously pardon a person (details supplied) further to ongoing correspondence from this Deputy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42427/20]

14. To ask the Minister for Justice the actions she will take to address the rising levels of domestic violence in County ; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [42423/20]

15. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to legislate for the introduction of domestic homicide reviews. — Jim O’Callaghan. [42426/20]

16. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of convictions for possession of drugs in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number of persons referred to the health diversion programme for the same offences over the same period by Garda division. — . [41662/20]

17. To ask the Minister for Justice when the scoping enquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will publish the report of the enquiry without delay once received. — . [41637/20]

18. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which extra Garda resources can be deployed to counter an increase in crime including organised crime in the approach to Christmas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42499/20]

19. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of new Garda recruits and priorities to combat rural crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41277/20]

20. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to ensure family contact for prisoners is maintained at normal levels during Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Patrick Costello. [41668/20] 3719

21. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on the reform of the family law system including the Courts Service; her wider plans to reform this important area of law which impacts on many; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41560/20]

22. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to complete the progression of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [42419/20]

23. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of cases waiting to be heard by the various courts serving Cork on 4 December 2020, in tabular form; the same for 4 December 2019; the measures being undertaken to address the backlog of cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42352/20]

24. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress in tackling the issue of catalytic converter thefts from cars; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [42330/20]

25. To ask the Minister for Justice if her Department has future plans to commemorate the Royal Irish Constabulary. — . [42212/20]

26. To ask the Minister for Justice the amount invested in leadership and CPD within An Garda Síochána; her plans to invest in leadership and CPD initiatives in the future; the recommendations The Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland has made in this area; the actions she plans to take to support leadership and CPD; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [41515/20]

27. To ask the Minister for Justice if the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 has been commenced; if not, when it will be commenced; the plans for enforcement of the provisions contained in the Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42509/20]

28. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps a person should take in appealing to her Department for permission to stay after their application for international protection has failed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [42529/20]

29. To ask the Minister for Justice the authority that judges apply to in respect of judicial appointments to the highest court; if she will provide a schedule of the persons that are to be informed that a judge has declared an interest and or applied for the appointment; the details of the persons; and the way in which applications are evaluated. — Catherine Murphy. [39123/20]

30. To ask the Minister for Justice the plans in place for the old disused Bray Courthouse on the Boghall Road, Bray, County Wicklow; and if she will engage with Wicklow County Council with a view to handing it over for community use. — John Brady. [39662/20]

31. To ask the Minister for Justice when she will implement the decision of Dáil Eireann of 14 February 2020 to establish a public enquiry into the circumstances of the death of a person (details supplied) and the subsequent actions of State agencies in this regard. — Matt Carthy. [41636/20]

32. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of successful applicants under the CCTV community programme in County Mayo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [41276/20]

P.T.O 3720

33. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the turnaround time in respect of applications for asylum, refugee status and citizenship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42498/20]

34. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans regarding the grooming of children by criminal gangs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [41794/20]

35. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the development of her Justice Plan; the areas she plans to prioritise as part of the plan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [41516/20]

36. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will set out the change in policing that has occurred since Ireland moved from level 5 to 3 of the Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41284/20]

37. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the scoping report by a person (details supplied) on the criminality in Drogheda, County Louth; if she will act on its recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [41485/20]

38. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to take appropriate measures to protect young persons from gambling related risks given figures from the last gambling prevalence survey that over 3,400 15 to 16-year olds were gambling excessively or problematically. — Thomas Gould. [40757/20]

39. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress to date in setting up a special expert forum on antisocial behaviour to consider the effectiveness of existing legislation and propose new ways forward including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders as outlined in the Programme for Government. — Paul McAuliffe. [42329/20]

40. To ask the Minister for Justice the way in which she will address the concerns raised by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment recent report regarding the treatment of prisoners in terms of mental illness, restrictive regimes and the use of special observation cells. — Patrick Costello. [41669/20]

41. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to amend section 252 of the Children Act 2001 in view of a recent Court of Appeals judgement. — Jim O’Callaghan. [42425/20]

42. To ask the Minister for Justice the proposals being considered to increase diversity within the ranks of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41571/20]

43. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress being made in the implementation of Supporting a Victim’s Journey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41482/20]

44. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of vacancies that exist at present in each branch of the judiciary; the mechanism she plans to use to fill such vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [41280/20]

45. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the scale of drug offences committed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [42508/20] 3721

46. To ask the Minister for Justice the reason the second vacancy for the Supreme Court has been left unfilled; and her plans to fill this position before the end of her term as Minister. — Peadar Tóibín. [40269/20]

47. To ask the Minister for Justice the position regarding the provision of a new courthouse building for Naas, County Kildare to adequately cope with the growing capacity requirements of the court district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [42332/20]

48. To ask the Minister for Justice if consideration will be given to funding the establishment of a pilot antisocial behaviour taskforce in Cork city bringing together relevant stakeholders for example, An Garda Síochána, fire authorities and Tusla weekly to identify antisocial behaviour hotspots and divert persons. — Thomas Gould. [42355/20]

49. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will provide an update on the implementation of community safety pilots; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41542/20]

50. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce new programmes to deter young persons from carrying knives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [42424/20]

51. To ask the Minister for Justice the engagement she has had with the Minister for Health with regard to the establishment of the cross-Departmental and cross-agency taskforce on mental health, addictions and imprisonment pursuant to the commitment in the Programme for Government; the status of the taskforce; the membership of the taskforce; the terms of reference of the taskforce; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42350/20]

52. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of the way in which her Department will work with a person (details supplied) and City Council in relation to the report recently completed regarding Belcamp, Moatview and Darndale; if she will engage with a range of Departments, such as the Departments of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Education and Social Protection in the efforts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [41606/20]

53. To ask the Minister for Justice the details of the planned review of the overall process and the way in which persons can access legal aid as referred to by her on 17 November 2020 during the meeting of the Select Oireachtas Committee on Justice; the person or body that will carry out the review; the terms of reference of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42349/20]

54. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of cases of Covid-19 detected in Irish prisons since March 2020; the number of prison officers, prisoners or other staff diagnosed with Covid-19 in each prison; the number of tests carried out to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [41282/20]

55. To ask the Minister for Justice her response to the Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee report into Irish prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42159/20]

56. To ask the Minister for Justice her response to the increase in domestic, sexual and gender- based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [42160/20]

P.T.O 3722

57. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she plans to take in cases in relation to several health care workers who have been given notice that they may face deportation as their applications for international protection have failed in view of the considerable service these applicants have given to the State during the Covid-19 crisis. — . [42531/20]

58. To ask the Minister for Justice the measures being undertaken to address the ongoing delays in processing of applications for naturalisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [42351/20]

59. To ask the Minister for Justice the position regarding the issues in relation to the provision of CCTV in local communities with regard to adherence to the GDPR rules; the steps she has taken in examining this issue; the advice available to local community groups in the provision of CCTV in towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [42333/20]

60. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will report on the ongoing delays in the scheduling of court sittings for alleged drug and other serious offences in Limerick city and the way in which this is impacting on crime in the city. — . [42436/20]

61. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps being taken to ensure family contact for prisoners continues during Covid-19. — . [41892/20]

62. To ask the Minister for Justice the timeline for the implementation of the Parole Act 2019; when she plans to have a new statutory parole board in operation; if she has appointed a CEO for this board; the number of staff she plans to appoint to service the board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [41281/20]

63. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the ongoing level of instances of ramming of Garda vehicles; if it is considered further legislation is required in this area to deter such instances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42428/20]

64. To ask the Minister for Justice the supports in place for gardaí who have been injured while on duty; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [41546/20]

65. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to each Garda station in County Meath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [41641/20]

66. To ask the Minister for Justice the progress to date in implementing legislation to meet the commitments made under the Stormont House Agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [42507/20]

67. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she will take in the upcoming justice plan to modernise the sector; the actions she will take; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [41543/20]

68. To ask the Minister for Justice when her Department plans to publish the new youth justice strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [41570/20]

69. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to tackle sexual and domestic violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [41481/20] 3723

70. To ask the Minister for Justice the expenditure on in-service training and leadership development in each of the key service areas under her Department, that is, Garda, prison, courts and so on; the percentage of payroll it represents in each case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Bruton. [41605/20]

71. To ask the Minister for Justice when the last Garda recruitment campaign was held; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [41111/20]

72. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a report by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment in respect of the Irish prison system; if she has engaged with the prison governor in charge of the prison and other senior Irish Prison Service management; and her plans to immediately reform the Irish Prison Service in respect of prisoner well-being and human rights. — Catherine Murphy. [39952/20]

73. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the comments of the Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhumane Treatment in regard to the treatment of persons with mental illness in prisons here; the specific plan she has to address the issue of the mental health of prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [41283/20]

74. To ask the Minister for Justice if she will address the concerns recently reported as raised by the Council of Europe’s Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. — Neasa Hourigan. [41893/20]

75. To ask the Minister for Justice the date on which she informed all relevant Ministers of proposals to make a judicial appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); the Ministers she informed; the means by which she communicated her intention; and if she included a schedule of other interested parties as part of the appointment process. — Catherine Murphy. [39122/20]

76. To ask the Minister for Justice if a national services development plan will commence in 2020; the role an organisation (details supplied) and its 38 frontline member services will play in developing a comprehensive national response to domestic abuse and coercive control; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [41721/20]

CEISTEANNA AR SONRAÍODH UAIN DÓIBH QUESTIONS NOMINATED FOR PRIORITY

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

77. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 3 November 2020, if an update will be provided on his plans for paying student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42289/20]

78. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out across the country; if a new database will be developed to ensure a professional tracking system for both shots of the vaccine; if the programme will be rolled out by the public health regions; the role that general practitioners will play in this roll-out; if there will be a prioritisation of vulnerable groups; if so, the order of this prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [42359/20]

79. To ask the Minister for Health the average wait time for children requiring an assessment of needs in the context of the legal requirements on the HSE to commence such an assessment

P.T.O 3724 within three months and complete it within six months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42290/20]

80. To ask the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that mental health is part of universal health coverage by including care for mental, neurological and substance use disorders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42358/20]

81. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the HSE with regard to the plan to develop a new emergency department at University Hospital Galway; the status of the development of the planned emergency department; if the HSE has to date completed its consideration of the feasibility report regarding the inclusion of the maternity department in the new block; if so, the planned next steps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42331/20]

CEISTEANNA EILE OTHER QUESTIONS

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

82. To ask the Minister for Health the reason students in the healthcare sector who are working in public hospitals and at the frontline of services during the Covid-19 pandemic are being told they must get the flu vaccination shot and must pay the full cost themselves; if he will arrange for such students to be reimbursed the costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [42324/20]

83. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to providing an out-of-hours general practitioner care service urgently on the northside of Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [41268/20]

84. To ask the Minister for Health if he has undertaken a review of the system for early assessment and prioritisation of therapies for children with special needs, which despite extra resources seems to continue to struggle to provide time supports; his views on whether the success on the pilot integrating therapies into the school provided model offers an opportunity of a different approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Bruton. [41603/20]

85. To ask the Minister for Health if the drug dupilumab for the treatment of severe atopic eczema will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42338/20]

86. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the CAMHS waiting list in CHO4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [42302/20]

87. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons involved in testing and tracing as part of the Covid-19 response that have been transferred to this work from other work within the health service; the work from which they were transferred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [41113/20]

88. To ask the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that all student nurses receive payment for the work they have put in across the health service during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [42363/20] 3725

89. To ask the Minister for Health the disability day services that have not reopened since Covid-19; when it is planned to open services fully; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [40647/20]

90. To ask the Minister for Health the nature of the correspondence his Department has received from organisations, charities, volunteer groups and NGOs which warn of an increase in mental health issues and suicide rates since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. — Peadar Tóibín. [42445/20]

91. To ask the Minister for Health the reason it is being claimed that student nurses and midwives are supernumerary in view of the fact they are working on the frontline. — Louise O’Reilly. [42437/20]

92. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting and wait times for scoliosis treatment and surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42337/20]

93. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department has plans for updated health promotion campaigns under the Healthy Ireland Framework for 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [41943/20]

94. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the plight of parents of children with Down’s syndrome who have been without services since March 2020; if his Department will allocate additional resources to deal with the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [40784/20]

95. To ask the Minister for Health the number of parents that have put in a complaint that their child did not receive an assessment of needs in a timely manner; the number upheld in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [42162/20]

96. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the recent advice given to older persons to take vitamin D daily; if such advice applies to other age groups; if, the supplement will be subsidised for at-risk groups in the context of public health and health promotion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [41875/20]

97. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of respite services for persons with disabilities and their families in County Kerry; if services will be restored to pre- Covid-19 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42432/20]

98. To ask the Minister for Health the assessment he is undertaking on reports that there were failed medical abortions in Ireland which resulted in the pregnant person being forced to travel to the UK for healthcare in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [41106/20]

99. To ask the Minister for Health when a child psychologist will be appointed to cover counties Laois and Offaly. — Brian Stanley. [40396/20]

100. To ask the Minister for Health when restrictions on partners attending at maternity hospitals will be lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [42443/20]

P.T.O 3726

101. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the group home for persons with physical and sensory disabilities in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan; when the HSE estimates process for 2021 will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [36123/20]

102. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE and his Department have made their business case to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform seeking consultant status and renumeration; and the operational model the HSE and his Department are proposing in view of the Crowe Horwath report 2018 following on from a previous report. — Joan Collins. [42510/20]

103. To ask the Minister for Health the number of women and families that have appeared before the CervicalCheck Tribunal since its commencement; the status of his engagements with a group (details supplied) relating to the CervicalCheck Tribunal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42342/20]

104. To ask the Minister for Health if frontline healthcare staff are to be redeployed again to Covid-19 testing; the reason more additional staff for Covid-19 testing are not recruited from those who applied to the Be on Call for Ireland campaign; the reason additional staff for Covid-19 testing are not redeployed from non-frontline healthcare staff; his views on whether physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy as essential; his views on the growing waiting lists in each of these areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42371/20]

105. To ask the Minister for Health when a terminal illness card will be provided for persons with less than two years to live will be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [42343/20]

106. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which the Sláintecare programme is being enacted; the progress to date in this regard; the targets achievable in the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42501/20]

107. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide full details of the first deal with the private hospitals in the fight against Covid-19; if there has been a value for money analysis of this deal; his plans to permanently increase the public healthcare capacity in order to not risk the overwhelming of the service in another wave of Covid-19 and do not have to buy services from the private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [42364/20]

108. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the sharing of passenger data between Northern Ireland and here and for those arriving onto the island of Ireland for the purpose of contact tracing and enforcement of restricted movement requirements; if he has agreed a process in relation to the matter with his counterpart in the Stormont Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [41642/20]

109. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the restrictions in maternity hospitals for partners of expecting mothers who cannot attend scans with them; his views on whether these restrictions need to be eased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Darren O’Rourke. [41643/20]

110. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date and the sectors involved in the planning of the distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [42336/20] 3727

111. To ask the Minister for Health when an important therapy post at Longford disability services which cannot be filled will be addressed (details supplied). — Joe Flaherty. [42214/20]

112. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for further developing the Healthy Ireland Plan with a view to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [42011/20]

113. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for recruitment across the public health regions to ensure they can chase down the SARS Cov2 virus, to learn all there is to learn from this work and to help protect the population from Covid-19 and from future pandemics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [42365/20]

114. To ask the Minister for Health the supports available to student nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul McAuliffe. [42431/20]

115. To ask the Minister for Health if it will be ensured the group home for persons with physical and sensory disabilities at Drummond Otra, Carrickmacross, County Monaghan will be operational in January 2021. — Matt Carthy. [41638/20]

116. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons that have been recruited by the HSE since he launched the Winter Plan; the total increase in HSE employment that this represents in net terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [42346/20]

117. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions and contacts that he has had with section 39 workers and their representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [42430/20]

118. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to increase the number of paediatric rheumatologists in Ireland; the number of children waiting on a paediatric rheumatologist referral and the current waiting time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [42327/20]

119. To ask the Minister for Health if the position with regard to the attendance of partners during labour and birth has changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [36597/20]

120. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine immunisation programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [42344/20]

121. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to minimise the liability to the State under the proposed indemnity for Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42240/20]

122. To ask the Minister for Health if a person presents in time for an abortion and the medication fails, will a doctor prescribing additional medication be deemed to be continuing the first in time procedure; if the abortion will still be legal under section 12 if the pregnancy by then exceeds 12 weeks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [41104/20]

123. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department plans to provide support to the traumatic brain injury Dublin City University research project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [42328/20]

P.T.O 3728

124. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the planned primary care centre in Bangor Erris, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42440/20]

125. To ask the Minister for Health the progress of the Women’s Health Taskforce which is aiming to improve women’s health outcomes and experiences of healthcare in terms of health promotion and public health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [41876/20]

126. To ask the Minister for Health the approach of Ireland to diagnosing and treating lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [41559/20]

127. To ask the Minister for Health the extra supports made available for out-of-hours general practitioner care in the Winter Initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42308/20]

128. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of the number of paediatric rheumatologists currently employed here; his plans to increase the number of paediatric rheumatologists employed here; the time frame for any increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42370/20]

129. To ask the Minister for Health the status of Covid-19 testing in meat processing plants; the procedures for when a person is found to have Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42099/20]

130. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the case of a person (details supplied) including the orthodontist waiting list at Loughlinstown Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [41279/20]

131. To ask the Minister for Health when key positions in disability services in County Longford will be filled (details supplied). — Joe Flaherty. [42213/20]

132. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to restart the full child psychology, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy services in counties Laois and Offaly and to expand them. — Brian Stanley. [40397/20]

133. To ask the Minister for Health the number of parents have that taken his Department to court due to the fact their child did not receive an assessment of needs within the statuary time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [42161/20]

134. To ask the Minister for Health the details of capital funding made available by his Department to all maternity hospitals in the past three years. — Gary Gannon. [42518/20]

135. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional nurses, midwives and medical practitioners that have been employed by the HSE in 2020 through the use of recruitment agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Peadar Tóibín. [42444/20]

136. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which the Covid-19 vaccine will be rolled out across the country; if a new database will be developed to ensure a professional tracking system for both shots of the vaccine; if the programme will be rolled out by the public health regions; the role general practitioners will play in this roll-out; if there will be a prioritisation of vulnerable groups; 3729 if so, the order of this prioritisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [42366/20]

137. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals in place to increase the number of public health nurses in view of the fact that the numbers have increased by less than 5% over the past five years while there has been a 20.9% increase in all other areas across the healthcare sector across the same time frame; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41273/20]

138. To ask the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support hours at the end of November 2020; the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [42304/20]

139. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that no child in need of scoliosis surgery is left waiting while the condition worsens and results in serious pain for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [42362/20]

140. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration will be given to permanently extending the temporary delivery arrangement for cannabidiol oil and tetrahydrocannabinol oil given the undue stress the travel has on families and individuals and the recent commitment that this matter would be resolved as a priority. — Thomas Gould. [42357/20]

141. To ask the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure that services now provided under the cross-border directive in Northern Ireland to persons living here will continue to be available for reimbursement here after 1 January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [41114/20]

142. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the current waiting times for MRI services in CHO area 2; the discussions he has had with the HSE with regard securing additional MRI facilities to meet the ongoing need in CHO area 2; the number of adults and children, respectively currently on the waiting list for an MRI in CHO area 2; the number of adults and children, respectively that have been on MRI waiting lists in CHO area 2 for three, six, nine, 12, 18 and 24 months, respectively in tabular form; the number of MRI machines operational in CHO area 2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42334/20]

143. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the preliminary business case for a critical care wing by the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [42517/20]

144. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to address long waiting times for psychology appointments in primary care in County Kildare and west County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [42306/20]

145. To ask the Minister for Health if, due to much doubt is cast over the European Union cross-border directive, if the Government will put a bilateral agreement in place for the EU Cross Border Directive on Health with the UK or at the very least Northern Ireland; and if not, if Irish citizens will be directly disadvantaged as a result of the UK decision to leave the EU and be forced to travel to mainland Europe to avail of the vital healthcare scheme or stay on the island and bide their time on waiting lists. — Michael Collins. [38263/20]

P.T.O 3730

146. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) who requires an assessment at the National Rehabilitation Clinic, Dun Laoghaire to be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [42506/20]

147. To ask the Minister for Health when a review will commence of the regulations and legislation that apply to cannabis use for medical conditions and palliative care as per the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neasa Hourigan. [41891/20]

148. To ask the Minister for Health if he is considering a special payment for frontline health workers in respect of the extraordinary work done and continuing to be done by them in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42515/20]

149. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the reimbursements to applicants under the community ophthalmic services scheme have now been capped; the average figure now reimbursed across the scheme; and if he will make arrangements to ensure vulnerable low income applicants and their children can access additional supports to recover the costs if needed. — Bríd Smith. [42325/20]

150. To ask the Minister for Health when he will honour the Programme for Government commitments to create and implement a general health policy for trans persons based on a best practice model for care in line with the World Professional Association of Transgender Healthcare and deliver a framework for the development of national gender clinics and multidisciplinary teams for children and adults. — Neasa Hourigan. [41490/20]

151. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to reverse underinvestment in public health departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42340/20]

152. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he will take to address the pay and work conditions of student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Chris Andrews. [42434/20]

153. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the senior rheumatologist position at University Hospital Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42433/20]

154. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to reduce outpatient waiting times in St. Vincent’s University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [42311/20]

155. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he and his Department expect to be able to deal with the backlog of elective procedures which has been caused by the Covid-19 crisis; if this can or will be done under the national treatment purchase scheme in Ireland or otherwise; if the private hospitals can be utilised for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42500/20]

156. To ask the Minister for Health if the second and third phases of the opening of the 60-bed unit at University Hospital Limerick will be open and operational on schedule; and if all necessary staff nurses, consultants and support staff will be available to operate this new unit. — Maurice Quinlivan. [42435/20] 3731

157. To ask the Minister for Health the measures he will take to ensure the recommencement of SouthDoc general practitioner out-of-hours services to the northside of Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mick Barry. [42429/20]

158. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to reach the lower target of 9.1 litres of alcohol per capita by the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [41917/20]

159. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the commencement of measures in the public health alcohol legislation which is aiming to reduce harm associated with irresponsible consumption of alcohol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Farrell. [42012/20]

160. To ask the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support hours at the end of November 2020 in the north Tipperary east Limerick LHO area and in the south Tipperary LHO area; the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42305/20]

161. To ask the Minister for Health the reason a translabial scanner is not in place and operational to help identify those who have been implanted with a mesh device. — Louise O’Reilly. [42438/20]

162. Chun a fhiafraí den Aire Sláinte an bhfuil sé ar an eolas go bhfuil comhairle fós á thabhairt don phobal ar an leathanach Covid-19 (Coróinvíreas): Comhairle ar an shuíomh Gov.ie gan maisc aghaidhe a chaitheamh, agus nach bhfuil aon fhianaise ann go mbaineann daoine nach bhfuil tinn aon tairbhí astu; cén fáth ina bhfuil sean-chomhairle dáinséarach as-dáta á thabhairt do phobal labhartha na Gaeilge agus muintir na Gaeltachta agus é ráite ar an leathanach go bhfuil sé suas chun data leis an leagan Béarla; an bhfuil pobal labhartha na Gaeilge agus muintir na Gaeltachta ceaptha neamhaird a dhéanamh as a stuama féin ar an gcomhairle Gaeilge atá ar fáil agus braith ar a dara teanga; an bhfuil sé seo sásúil ina thuairim; agus cad atá á dhéanamh aige chun é a réiteach. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [35819/20]

163. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the construction of the National Children’s Hospital; the details of level of spending to date in 2020 on legal fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Kelly. [42345/20]

164. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to reduce the current 63 week wait for audiology in County Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42511/20]

165. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made in the implementation of recommendations made in the report into gynaecology services at Letterkenny University Hospital; if a wider independent review of services at Letterkenny University Hospital will be committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [41265/20]

166. To ask the Minister for Health the measures being considered in relation to difficulties of those in need of homecare packages; his plans to address the current difficulties experienced in sourcing these packages and that many packages being granted are for less hours than would be appropriate to the need; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current shortfalls in hours offered is being decided on the basis of resources available rather than the need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [42354/20]

P.T.O 3732

167. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for advancing an inquiry into the use of mesh implants and sodium valproate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42339/20]

168. To ask the Minister for Health the additional services that will be provided at Monaghan Hospital in 2021. — Matt Carthy. [41639/20]

169. To ask the Minister for Health when he expects the citizens’ assembly will be convened to consider the matter of drug use. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [41791/20]

170. To ask the Minister for Health the progress to date in encouraging the option of breastfeeding including through the Healthy Ireland Framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [41942/20]

171. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to review the decision not to pay student nurses for the work they are carrying out in hospitals across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Maurice Quinlivan. [42493/20]

172. To ask the Minister for Health the discussions he has had with his counterpart in Northern Ireland in relation to the potential of expanding the remit of Co-operation and Working Together Partnership regarding the delivery of health services and additional cross-Border projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [42439/20]

173. To ask the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given to pay student nurses and midwives properly for their labour; if the number of permanent nurses and midwives will be increased to adequate levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [40485/20]

174. To ask the Minister for Health the number of public health specialists that have applied for positions in the past month; and the number of vacancies the HSE is hoping to fill. — Joan Collins. [42442/20]

175. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the valuable contribution that student nurses have made to the health system; the number of unpaid hours worked by student nurses since the beginning of March 2020; the cohort of student nurses in percentage terms who worked in Covid-19 related care; his views on whether the decision by many nurses to move abroad to work is due in part to some feeling unappreciated by his Department; his plans to improve relations between his Department and the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Martin Browne. [42505/20]

176. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the upcoming review of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018; when and the way in which this review will take place; if there will be a special Oireachtas committee for the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [41107/20]

177. To ask the Minister for Health his views on general practitioners issuing direct refunds for blood tests in which they have already charged medical card holders. — Pa Daly. [41666/20]

178. To ask the Minister for Health the steps taken to establish a State-funded contraception scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42341/20] 3733

179. To ask the Minister for Health the number of older persons waiting for home support hours at the end of November 2020 in the west Cork LHO area; the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Christopher O’Sullivan. [42314/20]

180. To ask the Minister for Health if the Sláintecare estimate of 2,600 for new acute beds is provided for in the capital plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [41787/20]

181. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated new completion date and total cost of the new children’s hospital in view of recent delays and legal challenges; and the estimated total cost overrun in percentage terms. — Mairéad Farrell. [42347/20]

182. To ask the Minister for Health his views on general practitioners issuing direct refunds for Covid-19 tests in which they have already charged patients. — Pa Daly. [41665/20]

183. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider making the HPV vaccine available to girls who did not avail of it in first year given the recent upswing in uptake of the vaccine due to relevant campaigns, the ability to offset the cost against savings made in the years these girls did not avail of the vaccine and the substantial cost of availing of the vaccine privately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Gould. [42356/20]

184. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide a summary of the annual mental health budget in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Alan Dillon. [41788/20]

185. To ask the Minister for Health the action that will be taken to improve the financial support and conditions in place for student nurses and midwives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42490/20]

186. To ask the Minister for Health if a person presenting with health risks associated with a failed abortion legally can be treated under section 9, serious risk to health grounds or section 10, emergency grounds, as appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [41105/20]

187. To ask the Minister for Health if persons will receive an allowance from the HSE to cover the additional costs of waste disposal incurred due to a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [41267/20]

188. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that has been supplied to a residential care centre (details supplied); the assistance that can be offered to this centre in applying for State funding; the way in which the centre can avail of supports that are offered by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [42326/20]

189. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the practice of general practitioners charging significant administration fees to e-mail prescriptions to pharmacies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cormac Devlin. [41278/20]

190. To ask the Minister for Health the position in respect of identifying a suitable site for the elective hospital in County Cork; if the process for identifying the site has been delayed; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41271/20]

P.T.O 3734

191. To ask the Minister for Health the counties which still do not have access to abortion care via their general practitioners; the counties with no general practitioners providing early medical abortions in tabular form; the steps his Department is taking alongside the HSE to address these gaps in services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [41108/20]

192. To ask the Minister for Health the status of his engagements with OFMDFM in relation to an all-island response on vaccination. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [42534/20]

193. To ask the Minister for Health the psychological supports available for those diagnosed with lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [41558/20]

194. To ask the Minister for Health the number of patients that have received inpatient or day case treatment in Mallow General Hospital to date in 2020; the equivalent figures for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Moynihan. [42303/20]

195. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the Healthy Weight for Ireland Obesity Policy and Action Plan given the impact of Covid-19 public health measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [41918/20]

196. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with the HSE with regard to the planned orthopaedic theatre in Merlin Park University Hospital; the status of the new orthopaedic theatre; if building work has commenced to date; if his Department has carried out an analysis into the effect of the delay in delivery of the new theatre on waiting lists in Merlin Park University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42335/20]

197. To ask the Minister for Health the outcome of the most recent discussions that have been held with the Departments of Health in Northern Ireland and in the UK concerning the EU Cross Border Healthcare Directive post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [42215/20]

198. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting and average wait times for orthopaedic treatment in County Mayo by type of treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42441/20]

CEISTEANNA LE hAGHAIDH FREAGRAÍ SCRÍOFA QUESTIONS FOR WRITTEN ANSWER

Chun an Tánaiste agus Aire Fiontar, Trádála agus Fostaíochta: To the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

*199. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the grant assistance or supports that are being made available to places of worship to enable Covid-19 protocols to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42549/20]

*200. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there are additional Covid-19 supports available for companies in the position of a company (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42564/20] 3735

*201. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42698/20]

*202. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive the restart grant plus scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42756/20]

*203. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 will be amended to allow workers to carry over annual leave in cases in which they could not take leave due to Covid-19, as has been done in the UK and Northern Ireland; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [42800/20]

Chun an Aire Comhshaoil, Aeráide agus Cumarsáide: To the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications.

*204. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the plans in place to establish public charge points for electric vehicles in Kilcock and Clane, County Kildare; the time frame thereof; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42571/20]

*205. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans for businesses that harvest peat moss for horticultural use; if businesses will be permitted to harvest in summer 2021 given that alternative methods for this production are not currently in place; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if harvesting is not permitted in 2021 horticultural peat moss will have to be imported from mainland Europe which does not make environmental sense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42587/20]

*206. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to introduce attendant bye-laws to deal with salmonid conservation; if he will provide a draft of these bye-laws; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42620/20]

*207. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to reintroduce monitored community fishing schemes to allow previous fishing practices such as salmon and eel fishing be used for artisanal and traditional purposes to generate tourism potential and preserve heritage in villages around Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42624/20]

*208. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when the inland fisheries (consolidation) Bill will be published and progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [42755/20]

*209. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications when high-speed fibre broadband will be facilitated in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42688/20]

*210. To ask the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42699/20]

P.T.O 3736

Chun an Aire Iompair: To the Minister for Transport.

*211. To ask the Minister for Transport the annual budget his Department allocated to organisations that save lives, for example, coastguard and naval and search and rescue services for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42619/20]

*212. To ask the Minister for Transport if the Common Travel Area under Brexit agreements with the will be extended to allow UK driver licences to remain in operation by residents in Ireland. — Sean Sherlock. [42747/20]

*213. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received a request from Cork County Council to upgrade the R624 access road to Cobh and the Great Island to national road status; if so, when he will be in a position to make a decision on the request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Stanton. [42581/20]

*214. To ask the Minister for Transport if a person is entitled to hold on to their UK driver licence once they swap for an Irish licence or if they lose that entitlement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [42584/20]

*215. To ask the Minister for Transport the number of persons by county residing in Ireland using a UK driver licence; the way in which they will be impacted by Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42585/20]

*216. To ask the Minister for Transport the breakdown by centre of the wait times for appointments to exchange a UK driver licence at an NDLS centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42586/20]

*217. To ask the Minister for Transport if all the supports possible will be put in place for the establishment of a direct daily service from Rosslare Port to ports in mainland Europe for example, Le Havre, Dieppe, Calais and Dunkirk along with a daily return service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [42588/20]

*218. To ask the Minister for Transport when a person (details supplied) will receive a driver test date in Donegal town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Pringle. [42646/20]

*219. To ask the Minister for Transport when his Department first flagged the unique issue related to transport managers in Ireland in relation to Brexit with the European Commission; when his Department first contacted transport managers in relation to the need to obtain an Irish qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42692/20]

*220. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has investigated the possibility of directly transferring the qualifications of experienced transport manager without the need to sit the transport management examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [42693/20]

*221. To ask the Minister for Transport if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42711/20] 3737

*222. To ask the Minister for Transport the measures that will be introduced to ensure that the waiting list for driver tests will be cleared as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [42715/20]

*223. To ask the Minister for Transport if local authorities can apply for funding out of the fund announced on 4 December 2020 of €50 million for investment in walking and cycling projects for areas outside of towns and villages in which an estimated 30% of the population live (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [42727/20]

*224. To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 188 of 3 December 2020 and in view of information on the NDLS (details supplied), if persons who obtained their class B manual driver licence prior to 30 November 2013 are precluded from availing of the exemption in question and having the code 78 restriction removed from their driver licence record upon request. — Catherine Connolly. [42742/20]

*225. To ask the Minister for Transport the capital expenditure on the M20 from 2010 to date. — Thomas Gould. [42743/20]

*226. To ask the Minister for Transport the process by which the North Ring Road was taken into account to ensure the designs of the M20 accomplish the best outcome for both roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Thomas Gould. [42744/20]

*227. To ask the Minister for Transport if houses, businesses, historical and community areas were considered in the planning process of the M20; and the steps taken to consult with persons affected by the proposed routes in the pre-planning stages. — Thomas Gould. [42745/20]

*228. To ask the Minister for Transport when a driver licence application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; if it will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42763/20]

*229. To ask the Minister for Transport when a driver test date will be given for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42764/20]

*230. To ask the Minister for Transport if he has provided funding for the purchase of buses which rely on petrol and diesel fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42768/20]

*231. To ask the Minister for Transport if he will initiate a safety review of a bridge (details supplied) on a national secondary route in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42805/20]

*232. To ask the Minister for Transport if an application for funding had been submitted by a local authority (details supplied) in respect of a bridge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42806/20]

Chun an Aire Airgeadais: To the Minister for Finance.

*233. To ask the Minister for Finance if he will expand the qualifying criteria for the Covid restrictions support scheme in order that persons (details supplied) who do not have a business

P.T.O 3738 premises can avail of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cathal Crowe. [42541/20]

*234. To ask the Minister for Finance the additional forbearance he will be requiring of the banks on mortgage repayments for those employed and self-employed workers affected by the second lockdown, the third in County Kildare, in order for them to keep their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42573/20]

*235. To ask the Minister for Finance if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42700/20]

*236. To ask the Minister for Finance the position regarding VAT on a product (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42746/20]

*237. To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 1 December 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the OECD Model Treaty upon which section 127B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 is based, was amended in 2017 to say that airline crew should be taxed where they are resident only, therefore this legislation is no longer in accordance with international tax principles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42767/20]

*238. To ask the Minister for Finance the average rental income tax paid by landlord per property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42781/20]

*239. To ask the Minister for Finance the number of businesses that have applied for the Covid restrictions support scheme to date; the number of applications that have been successful; the value of the financial support by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jim O’Callaghan. [42786/20]

*240. To ask the Minister for Finance the examination carried out on the need for a referendum if the proposed changes to the European Stability Mechanism are agreed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [42803/20]

Chun an Aire Caiteachais Phoiblí agus Athchóirithe: To the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

*241. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42706/20]

Chun an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán: To the Minister for Tourism, Culture; Arts; Gaeltacht; Sport and Media.

*242. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if live music and dancing are permitted at weddings under the current level 3 restrictions which began in December 2020 given that during the level 3 restrictions which began in September 2020 live music and dancing were permitted; if the level 3 restrictions governing live music and dancing have changed since the last imposition of level 3 restrictions in September 2020; if so, the reasons for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42670/20] 3739

*243. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42710/20]

*244. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media if music and dance will be allowed at weddings under level 3 restrictions as was the case previously at level 3; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42737/20]

*245. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the steps she is taking to increase the level of girls and women participating in sport and structural inequities regarding the treatment of female sports players; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42797/20]

*246. To ask the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the reason live music and dancing has been banned at weddings under level 3 restrictions under new Fáilte Ireland guidelines; and her role in contributing to the formulation of these guidelines. — Louise O’Reilly. [42801/20]

Chun an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta: To the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

*247. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps being taken to ensure Ireland is meeting legal responsibilities under SI No. 285 of 2011 - European Communities Conservation of Wild Birds (Malahide Estuary Special Protection Area 004025) Regulations 2011 in terms of protecting the Malahide Estuary area of special protection. — Joe O’Brien. [42735/20]

*248. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps that can be taken to rectify the ongoing situation in a development (details supplied) which contravenes the spirit of Part 5 of the Housing Act 2000 by encouraging the segregation of the recipients of social housing in the development from services available to all other residents, thus alienating them from their community; the steps that can be taken to prevent this happening elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42542/20]

*249. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his specific plans for the housing of single persons given that it takes two salaries to pay rent or a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42579/20]

*250. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the conditions applicable to allow a local authority to complete the sale of its property and land for community gain or benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [42589/20]

*251. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of accommodation units provided under the Traveller accommodation scheme by Longford County Council in each of the years 2017 to 2019; and the targets set for the local authority for each of these years. — Sean Sherlock. [42593/20]

*252. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount of funding allocated by his Department to Longford County Council for the provision of social housing for persons with disabilities in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020. — Sean Sherlock. [42594/20]

P.T.O 3740

*253. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the promised legislation for exemptions for planning permission for rooftop solar installations will be introduced in Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42634/20]

*254. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a funding package will be put in place to cover the cost of already completed stabilisation works by Leitrim County Council on the Dawn of Hope Bridge, Drumkeerin and associated works carried out on local infrastructure such as roads and so on to address the impact caused by the recent landslide on Shass Mountain; and if a funding package will be put in place to complete all necessary future works including a compensation package for farmers. — . [42643/20]

*255. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the private rented accommodation inspections by local authorities in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42671/20]

*256. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to bring forward legislation on the issue of overcrowding in private rented accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42672/20]

*257. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households categorised as living in overcrowded accommodation on the social housing list by local authority in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42673/20]

*258. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of private rented accommodation HAP tenancies in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the number of inspections in which further enforcement action was taken in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42674/20]

*259. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if the terms of reference will be provided for the cross-Departmental working group on cost rental; the membership of the group; and the expected date for delivery of its findings. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42675/20]

*260. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the affordable cost rental programme; the developments that are currently planned; the status of each; the projected cost; the number of units; the likely monthly cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42676/20]

*261. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons currently on social housing waiting lists by local authority in tabular form. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42677/20]

*262. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the position regarding the progress which has been made on the national differential rent scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42678/20]

*263. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the annual expenditure on HAP for each year that the payment has been in operation; and the amount spent to date in 2020 on HAP in tabular form. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42679/20] 3741

*264. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of households that have had HAP payments cease due to arrears in 2020; the average length of time the households were in arrears before payment was ceased; and the average rental arrears owed by households at the time HAP payments ceased. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42680/20]

*265. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the breakdown of desired minimum densities on sites in key towns identified in Project Ireland 2040. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42681/20]

*266. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of vacant buildings in Dublin city and county; the number of property owners that are engaging with discussions in regard to bringing these buildings back into use; the number that are refusing to bring the property back into use; the number that are refusing to engage with his Department and its agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42682/20]

*267. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of private rent inspections that took place in each local authority area in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; if the same data as a percentage of overall private rental units will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42683/20]

*268. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to facilitate increased compliance with the Residential Tenancies Board; the measures he plans to implement to increase Residential Tenancies Board investigations, inspections and enforcement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aodhán Ó Ríordáin. [42684/20]

*269. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42704/20]

*270. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage when the position of CEO will be advertised for Galway County Council in view of the length of time that has elapsed since the last CEO left the Council and an acting CEO was appointed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [42726/20]

*271. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 632 of 3 November 2020 and 297 of 1 December 2020, the difference between the average social housing capital investment figures for Dublin city in 2019 and the SHCIP projects on which both sets of figures are based in tabular form. — Eoin Ó Broin. [42732/20]

*272. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will address a matter regarding pyrite blocks in County Limerick (details supplied). — Kieran O’Donnell. [42741/20]

*273. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review the financing model used by a cooperative (details supplied) to ensure its public purchases represent the best value for money; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42769/20]

*274. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if a copy of the issued unit cost ceilings for the direct procurement of social housing units by local authorities by unit type, construction and all in costs for each local authority will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42770/20]

P.T.O 3742

*275. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the Part V arrangements that have been made for a development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42771/20]

*276. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the repayment method for any equity stake in a property purchased under the proposed shared equity scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42772/20]

*277. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will engage with the HSE to create a conservation plan and historic landscape assessment for the Cork Street, Fever Hospital, Dublin 8 known as Brú Chaoimhín; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42773/20]

*278. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the average length of time that new social housing units are vacant prior to being occupied for the first time by local authority area and approved housing body over the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42774/20]

*279. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount spent by his Department on the housing element of Housing First initiatives in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42777/20]

*280. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the status of the review of HAP rates promised under the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42779/20]

*281. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the system in place to ensure that HAP tenants, including those already in receipt of the full discretionary allowance, who receive notice of a rent increase will have that increase covered as part of their HAP payment and will not be forced to carry this additional cost on top of their differential rent payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42780/20]

*282. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he has issued instructions to local authorities directing that local connection rules are not applied to homeless persons seeking emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42782/20]

*283. To ask the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of persons on housing waiting lists who have a disability recorded on their application in each local authority between 1 January 2015 and 1 December 2020, inclusive in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42795/20]

Chun an Aire Gnóthaí Eachtracha: To the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

*284. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding and status of a person (details supplied) who is still being detained in China; if he has made further contact directly or through Irish diplomatic missions with the Chinese authorities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42543/20]

*285. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his Department has existing bilateral agreements or memorandums of understanding with the State of Israel; if such agreements are in preparation; 3743 if his Department has been consulted or made aware of such agreements by other Departments; if the illegal settlements, which are illegal under international law, in the Israeli Occupied Territories have been or will be excluded from such agreements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42569/20]

*286. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the recent outbreak of war between Eritrea and Tigray; the position of the Government on the events taking place in Ethiopia, Eritrea and Tigray; his views on reports of mistreatment of refugees and civilians by the Eritrean Government; the steps Ireland is taking in the EU and at the UN to ensure that humanitarian and food supplies are not cut off from the civilian populations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [42610/20]

*287. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42701/20]

*288. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the situation in Bahrain in which the Government is using revocation of citizenship as a tool of oppression; if he has raised the matter with the Bahraini Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [42736/20]

Chun an Aire Cosanta: To the Minister for Defence.

*289. To ask the Minister for Defence if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42696/20]

*290. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel medically discharged in each of the years 2000 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by service branch. — Aengus Ó Snodaigh. [42733/20]

Chun an Aire Oideachais: To the Minister for Education.

*291. To ask the Minister for Education if financial assistance will be provided to the family of a child with special needs that have to pay for a seat on a private bus to take their child to school as there are no buses serving them for a school which is six kilometres away. — Martin Browne. [42565/20]

*292. To ask the Minister for Education if a value for money review has been carried out to consider the net economic benefit that the school transport funding brings to rural communities; if consideration has been given to investing additional funding into the school transport sector to alleviate the environmental pressures borne through the heavy use of family cars bringing children to school on a daily basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe McHugh. [42570/20]

*293. To ask the Minister for Education the reason transport is not being provided for a pupil (details supplied) in view of the fact that the school they are enrolled in has been deemed the most suitable school for them in view of their needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42540/20]

P.T.O 3744

*294. To ask the Minister for Education the status of a building project (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42560/20]

*295. To ask the Minister for Education if she will take steps to resolve the dispute that has arisen in schools in relation to SNAs being asked to use a catheter with certain students that need help with toileting; and when staff with nursing experience will be employed in schools to help certain students’ needs as promised. — Peadar Tóibín. [42561/20]

*296. To ask the Minister for Education further to Parliamentary Question No. 228 of 3 December 2020, if she will provide funding for a school bus service to transport 18 students from Knockmoylan, County Kilkenny to and from a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that they cannot be catered for by Bus Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [42563/20]

*297. To ask the Minister for Education if a grant is available for a sensory room for primary schools that do not have an ASD class. — . [42640/20]

*298. To ask the Minister for Education the required data and documentation and the process and contacts required for the establishment of a new Gaelscoil; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [42642/20]

*299. To ask the Minister for Education if a DEIS review has been completed; if so, the outcome; if the review will benefit schools in County Louth and the east County Meath area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [42664/20]

*300. To ask the Minister for Education if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42697/20]

*301. To ask the Minister for Education when the current review of DEIS will be completed; her views on the urgent need to provide DEIS band 1 status and the associated resources to support certain schools in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — . [42717/20]

*302. To ask the Minister for Education if she will urgently address a matter (details supplied) regarding Covid-19 outbreaks in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42734/20]

*303. To ask the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42749/20]

*304. To ask the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to occupational data (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [42845/20]

Chun an Aire Coimirce Sóisialaí: To the Minister for Social Protection.

*305. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the schemes available to provide additional financial help to those musicians working in bands, especially wedding bands, that have seen up to 90% loss in the Covid-19 crisis and are worried regarding keeping their homes in the absence of 3745 continued mortgage forbearance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42572/20]

*306. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the way in which trainee nurses will be able to avail of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig O’Sullivan. [42590/20]

*307. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement that have been received; the number of applications that have been assessed; the number of applications that have been approved; and the number of applications that have been rejected since January 2020 by month in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [42595/20]

*308. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of illness benefit or Covid-19 illness benefit will receive the Christmas bonus; if not, if she will take steps to ensure that recipients of the benefits will get the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [42596/20]

*309. To ask the Minister for Social Protection when pandemic unemployment payment arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42690/20]

*310. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42708/20]

Chun an Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige: To the Minister for Children, Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth.

*311. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider amending the regulations for the Covid-related additional three weeks maternity and parental leave to allow women and parents finishing their maternity leave before April 2021 to add the extra three weeks of parental leave to the end of their existing maternity leave rather than having to return to work before being able to take the extra leave from April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Murphy. [42716/20]

*312. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with a person (details supplied). — Catherine Murphy. [42580/20]

*313. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has completed a feasibility study on introducing a cap on childcare fees. — Sean Sherlock. [42592/20]

*314. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if queries raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to rural transport options for persons with a disability will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [42639/20]

*315. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42695/20]

P.T.O 3746

*316. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 1 December 2020, if he will provide a list of the 35 actions under the National LGBTI+ Strategy 2020-2021 which have yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42775/20]

*317. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of actions undertaken to date for the legislative ban on conversion therapy as committed to in the Programme for Government; if there is a timeline for such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [42157/20]

Chun an Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta: To the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research; Innovation and Science.

*318. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the structure that is in place and the support that will be given to students that have paid deposits and full accommodation costs with almost all of their learning being online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [42548/20]

*319. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reconsider and allow the self-employed to avail of the free or subsidised third-level courses as included under the Jobs Stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [42557/20]

*320. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State bodies to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if SOLAS has a dedicated email address in place for Oireachtas Members as is the case with many other State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Seán Haughey. [42559/20]

*321. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provision being made for the third-level students who had paid accommodation fees before the announcement was made that the colleges would not reopen given many have not been refunded the accommodation fees paid up to Christmas 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Danny Healy-Rae. [42632/20]

*322. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42702/20]

*323. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will introduce a mechanism for fourth year student nurses not in receipt of SUSI to receive the €250 refund in view of the fact that they will not be on campus in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42738/20]

*324. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he hopes to encourage participation in third and fourth-level education throughout the country regardless of socio-economic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42827/20] 3747

*325. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects to generate increased interest in the technical side of education in order to ensure the ready availability of a highly-qualified workforce in preparation for an increasingly competitive workplace market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42828/20]

*326. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the number of students taking up fourth-level education can be encouraged into the technical area with increased emphasis on apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42829/20]

*327. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level places available academic and technical places available for students in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which changes are likely in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42830/20]

*328. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects third and fourth-level courses to cater for the needs of students or postgraduates in the area of research with particular reference to the future requirements of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42831/20]

*329. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate places have been available in the current years for students pursuing academic or technical courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42832/20]

*330. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which innovative education at third or fourth-level can be expected to meet the challenges of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42833/20]

*331. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role he sees for advancement in science in the technical and academic areas in the future with particular reference to identifying the need for a balanced third and fourth-level educational sector in line with the likely requirements of employment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42834/20]

*332. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the advancement of educational programmes to meet the scientific needs of the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42835/20]

*333. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an agreement has been reached with all third-level institutions in respect of the refund of the accommodation element of SUSI grants in which students could only opt for virtual class attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42836/20]

*334. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which discussions continue in respect of a fair and equitable third and fourth-level access to the education system given the difficulties of other jurisdictions with the administration of student loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42837/20]

P.T.O 3748

*335. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that all second-level school leavers have a reliable opportunity to access third- level education given the increasing requirements and competition in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42838/20]

*336. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places available for third and fourth-level students in the technical and academic sectors currently; his proposals to improve on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42839/20]

*337. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied that the budget for his Department is adequate to meet the anticipated requirements throughout 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42840/20]

*338. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which reform of the CAO system is contemplated with a view to ensuring increased interest by students in courses in which an increase in the number of graduates is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42841/20]

*339. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proportion of students opting for third and fourth-level education on an annual basis over the past five years can be addressed in the future by ensuring an increase in third-level places most likely to impact positively on the availability of graduates where required most in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42842/20]

*340. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which participation in third-level education continues to be attractive to all students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42843/20]

*341. To ask the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which male and female students continued to be attracted in equal proportions to participation in the sciences; if a corrective measure or inducement is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42844/20]

Chun an Aire Dlí agus Cirt: To the Minister for Justice.

*342. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she is taking to address the unsuitable detention of immigration detainees in prisons and the need for a specifically designed centre for immigration detainees with specific immigration rules in accordance with the Council of Europe anti-torture Committee’s 7th periodic visit report on Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42793/20]

*343. To ask the Minister for Justice the steps she plans to take to tackle white collar crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Fergus O’Dowd. [41486/20]

*344. To ask the Minister for Justice her views on the ministerial decisions unit issuing leave to remain approvals for those currently in the direct provision system in line with the recommendations of the expert group chaired by a person (details supplied). — Pa Daly. [40411/20] 3749

*345. To ask the Minister for Justice the actions she will take to address the rising levels of domestic violence in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Flaherty. [42421/20]

*346. To ask the Minister for Justice the status of plans to review the process of issuing rejection letters to international protection applicants while level 5 restrictions remained in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Joe Flaherty. [42422/20]

*347. To ask the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 586 of 15 September 2020, the status of the general scheme of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture; the status of the promised national preventive mechanism; the way in which the mechanism will be structured; the person that will be in charge of coordinating the mechanism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42555/20]

*348. To ask the Minister for Justice if the An Garda Síochána review into the use of anti-spit hoods has been completed; if she has she received a copy of the review; when the review will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42556/20]

*349. To ask the Minister for Justice if a person (details supplied) is entitled to a work permit under current regulations; if so, if a work permit will be issued to them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42558/20]

*350. To ask the Minister for Justice if the decision will be reconsidered to disallow the inclusion of Coco’s Law in some form in the title of the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Bill 2017 given the significant contribution of the family of a person (details supplied) in drafting the legislation; if the work done by a person in addressing the issue of youth suicide in schools, colleges and communities throughout the country and the association of the person will be acknowledged with the legislation and the important work done in their name; if the importance of the societal and cultural impact of this legislation among young persons and the importance of using an easily remembered title to ensure it gains the necessary prevalence and traction among specific groups and cohorts in society will further be acknowledged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Gino Kenny. [42629/20]

*351. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of persons extradited back to Ireland in each of the years 2016 to 2020; the number subsequently convicted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Neale Richmond. [42633/20]

*352. To ask the Minister for Justice when a de bonis non grant for the estate of a person (details supplied) will issue from the Probate Office in order that the title on the property change be changed from leasehold to freehold; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Éamon Ó Cuív. [42647/20]

*353. To ask the Minister for Justice if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42705/20]

*354. To ask the Minister for Justice her plans for community services in County Tipperary that have over 200 clients working with them through probation in Thurles, Clonmel, Cashel and Tipperary town, to provide a bus for the transport of their clients given the effectiveness of their work is currently curtailed due to lack of transport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42728/20]

P.T.O 3750

*355. To ask the Minister for Justice if funding is available for a domestic violence support group (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42757/20]

*356. To ask the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to a mechanism by which the sale of a family home can be compelled in a situation in which one party is refusing to assent to same and in which a barring order is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Louise O’Reilly. [42798/20]

*357. To ask the Minister for Justice the current strength of An Garda Síochána, male and female; her plans to further increase the strength of the force; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42809/20]

*358. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of promotional places to be filled in An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42811/20]

*359. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí currently available for duty at any given time throughout the towns and villages of north County Kildare; the extent to which these present levels of deployment are in accord with the demographics of the area; the plans to increase these numbers in line with the population changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42812/20]

*360. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which the Criminal Assets Bureau has achieved success against organised crime in the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42815/20]

*361. To ask the Minister for Justice the degree to which recidivism is being confronted with particular reference to the number of cases in which repeated offences have occurred in respect of prisoners while on bail or on bail for more than one alleged crime; if further legislative changes are required to address this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42816/20]

*362. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of offences committed by prisoners while on temporary or short-term release in the past five years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42817/20]

*363. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of persons, men and women, respectively currently incarcerated; the extent to which cells are shared by two, three or more prisoners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42818/20]

*364. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which the smuggling of drugs into prisons has been curtailed; the ambitions for same in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42819/20]

*365. To ask the Minister for Justice the degree to which repeat offenders are successfully segregated from first-time offenders in all prisons throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42820/20]

*366. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which rehabilitative and educational courses are made available to prisoners throughout the country with particular reference to first-time 3751 offenders with a view to encouraging them away from crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42821/20]

*367. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which the full complement of staff remains available throughout the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42822/20]

*368. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of promotional positions to be filled throughout the Irish Prison Service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42823/20]

*369. To ask the Minister for Justice the extent to which adequate juvenile liaison officers are available throughout each Garda division and district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42824/20]

*370. To ask the Minister for Justice the availability of community liaison officers in each Garda division and district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42825/20]

*371. To ask the Minister for Justice the number of cases of juvenile crime currently being dealt with by juvenile liaison officers or other gardaí in each Garda division and district; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Bernard J. Durkan. [42826/20]

Chun an Aire Sláinte: To the Minister for Health.

*372. To ask the Minister for Health if the changes to income limits for medical card applications in Budget 2020 have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [42808/20]

*373. To ask the Minister for Health the way in which he is encouraging the use of biosimilar medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Marc MacSharry. [42312/20]

*374. To ask the Minister for Health the status of a home for persons with physical and sensory disabilities (details supplied); when the HSE estimates process for 2021 will conclude; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [39867/20]

*375. To ask the Minister for Health the consideration being taken on a service (details supplied) to be extended to a seven-day service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Aindrias Moynihan. [40759/20]

*376. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to recent reports in the media that a protected disclosure was made to his Department concerning warnings of issues pertaining to foetal diagnostic testing in 2018, some months before a perfectly healthy unborn baby was misdiagnosed and subsequently aborted in the National Maternity Hospital in 2019. — Peadar Tóibín. [40270/20]

*377. To ask the Minister for Health the rationale behind the current guidance in relation to attendance at funerals and weddings. — Peadar Tóibín. [42095/20]

P.T.O 3752

*378. To ask the Minister for Health the action being taken to address long waiting times for psychology appointments in primary care in south-western areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John Lahart. [42300/20]

*379. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons on the CAMHS waiting list at the end of November 2020; and the way in which this compares to the same date in 2019. — John Lahart. [42301/20]

*380. To ask the Minister for Health if his Department and the HSE have entered into discussions with the voluntary hospitals in County Cork, the Mercy University Hospital and the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in respect of the building of the new elective hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41272/20]

*381. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that will be made available to the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital Group to upgrade to four operating theatres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41274/20]

*382. To ask the Minister for Health the funding that has been allocated for the building of an extension to Heather House, St. Mary’s Campus, Cork which will provide for an additional 60 beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Colm Burke. [41275/20]

*383. To ask the Minister for Health the engagement he has had with his European colleagues regarding the distribution of a potential Covid-19 vaccine. — Neale Richmond. [38066/20]

*384. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the plan to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine in Ireland. — Neale Richmond. [39969/20]

*385. To ask the Minister for Health the actions he has taken to ensure that veterinary services are available to local abattoirs for inspections post November 2020. — Matt Carthy. [33515/20]

*386. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the insufficient support services provided to children with disabilities particularly school-aged services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Rose Conway-Walsh. [40501/20]

*387. To ask the Minister for Health the status of and position regarding the restoration of full- time disability day services; when these services will resume a five-day week service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [40503/20]

*388. To ask the Minister for Health the current position of those section 39 workers that did not receive pay parity; and if these workers will be included in the PSSA. — Mairéad Farrell. [36718/20]

*389. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to provide mental health support to children suffering as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic given the waiting lists for CAMHS. — Thomas Gould. [40756/20]

*390. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to receive an appointment with an ophthalmologist; the average waiting time between receiving the appointment and being examined by an ophthalmologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42367/20] 3753

*391. To ask the Minister for Health the details of funding that was allocated towards screening children with Down’s syndrome for Down’s arthritis in each of the years 2016 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42368/20]

*392. To ask the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a child to receive an appointment with a paediatric rheumatologist; the average waiting time between a child receiving an appointment and being examined by an paediatric rheumatologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42369/20]

*393. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the resumption of cancer screening services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Murnane O’Connor. [42513/20]

*394. To ask the Minister for Health if the oversight committee has received the terms of progression following the HIQA study and clinical validation on antigen testing. — Ruairí Ó Murchú. [33909/20]

*395. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a newspaper article (details supplied) on high rates of suicides of young women in south County Dublin; the matters learned from the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [37037/20]

*396. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he proposes take to ease the waiting list for children to attend child and adolescent mental health services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mark Ward. [40766/20]

*397. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the orthopaedic outpatient waiting list at University Hospital Waterford is now 24 months; if he is satisfied that it is acceptable that patients in pain in the south east region, certified as urgent, are required to wait two years to see an orthopaedic consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42539/20]

*398. To ask the Minister for Health the status of access for partners of expectant mothers to scans and wards during labour; the national position on same; if hospitals have the flexibility to implement their own measures now due to the decline in Covid-19 cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niamh Smyth. [42544/20]

*399. To ask the Minister for Health the criteria used for general practitioners to remove GMS patients from their client list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Duncan Smith. [42545/20]

*400. To ask the Minister for Health if he will clarify the Covid-19 guidelines for office workers that can continue to work from home but are required by their employers to return to the office setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Howlin. [42546/20]

*401. To ask the Minister for Health the reason there are no primary care psychologists in north County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — James Lawless. [42547/20]

*402. To ask the Minister for Health the steps sanctioned by him arising from the publication of the options appraisal for the model four hospital at Merlin Park, Galway; the status of the delivery of the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42550/20]

P.T.O 3754

*403. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the National Implementation and Monitoring Committee envisaged under Sharing the Vision; the membership of the committee; the terms of reference of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42551/20]

*404. To ask the Minister for Health when respite care services will be deemed as an essential service; when they will be fully restored to pre-Covid-19 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42552/20]

*405. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the reopening of day centres for adults with disabilities; the timeline for when day centres will fully reopen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42553/20]

*406. To ask the Minister for Health if nursing home residents will be allowed to be visited twice a week by two family members one at a time in all levels of the Living with Covid-19 plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Connolly. [42554/20]

*407. To ask the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure the delivery of the National Traveller Health Action Plan. — Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. [35132/20]

*408. To ask the Minister for Health if he will request WUH to continue the pathway of care organised by the hospital for a person (details supplied); if the urgent procedure recommended by the specialist at Whitfield under this care plan will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — John McGuinness. [42566/20]

*409. To ask the Minister for Health when the venesection clinic on the day service unit at Ennis General Hospital will reopen to the public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [42567/20]

*410. To ask the Minister for Health the medical and epidemiological or other data basis on which live music at weddings is prohibited in the current phase of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42575/20]

*411. To ask the Minister for Health the medical and epidemiological or other data basis on which dance classes unlike gyms have not been allowed open up in the current phase of Covid-19 though their owners have taken every precaution possible to keep their students safe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Réada Cronin. [42577/20]

*412. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to implement the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health Report on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome published in May 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42611/20]

*413. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the severe shortage of paediatric rheumatologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42626/20]

*414. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an information leaflet compiled by parents of children with Down’s arthropathy; and his plans distribute it to general practitioner surgeries and other health professionals to facilitate prompt referrals. — Malcolm Noonan. [42627/20] 3755

*415. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the lengthy waiting lists for children with Down’s arthropathy to see paediatric rheumatologists, either privately or publicly; the outcome of a meeting held on 18 December 2019 between the rheumatology department of Crumlin Children’s Hospital and an organisation (details supplied) on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Malcolm Noonan. [42628/20]

*416. To ask the Minister for Health the procedures and quality checks in place to monitor the care carried out by home help organisations contracted to carry out home caring work in the homes of persons; if there is a feedback mechanism for receivers of this care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Emer Higgins. [42630/20]

*417. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will commence employment as a Covid-19 swabber with the HSE at Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42631/20]

*418. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to address lengthy public orthodontic waiting lists at a location (details supplied). — Michael Creed. [42641/20]

*419. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting lists and duration on the list for procedures (details supplied) in University Hospital Waterford in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [42644/20]

*420. To ask the Minister for Health the location to which Parliamentary Questions to the HSE for operational services responses are referred; if his Department will mandate a correspondence return date for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Shanahan. [42645/20]

*421. To ask the Minister for Health his views on a HSE response in relation to a referral for a person (details supplied) graded as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Niall Collins. [42649/20]

*422. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 178 to 188 of 18 November 2020, the cost per external contractor and the number of assessments carried out in each CHO in tabular form. — Sean Sherlock. [42685/20]

*423. To ask the Minister for Health if he will consider permitting music at weddings given that unlike many other social events, they are held in a controlled manner under the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Joe O’Brien. [42689/20]

*424. To ask the Minister for Health if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42703/20]

*425. To ask the Minister for Health if there will be cold storage centres outside of Dublin for Covid-19 vaccines. — Sean Sherlock. [42712/20]

*426. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the decisions made regarding live music and dance at weddings under the current level 3 of the Living with Covid Plan. — Mary Lou McDonald. [42713/20]

*427. To ask the Minister for Health if he has met with or plans to meet with representatives from the wedding business sector to hear their concerns regarding the restrictions contained in the

P.T.O 3756

Living with Covid Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mary Lou McDonald. [42714/20]

*428. To ask the Minister for Health his views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in respect of restrictions on wedding music; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42718/20]

*429. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the target percentage of patients undergoing a non-urgent colonoscopy within 13 weeks was changed from 70% to 65% in the 2020 HSE Services Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — David Cullinane. [42724/20]

*430. To ask the Minister for Health the procedure that occurs when a company that holds a HSE contract which it originally procured through a tendering process no longer wishes to hold the contract or ceases to be operational; if the contract must be offered to other parties included in the original tender; if not, if the company can nominate a group to which to transfer the contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [42725/20]

*431. To ask the Minister for Health if a Dublin-based Covid-19 test centre that was recently closed that processed Covid-19 tests from Clonmel, County Tipperary has been replaced by another laboratory; if this closure has resulted in testing ability being reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42729/20]

*432. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for redress for patients who received erroneous false negative Covid-19 test results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42730/20]

*433. To ask the Minister for Health if false negative Covid-19 tests are resulting in the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42731/20]

*434. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to recommence respite service at Lifford Hospital; the time frame for resumption of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42758/20]

*435. To ask the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a gynaecological appointment in Letterkenny University Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42759/20]

*436. To ask the Minister for Health the waiting times for gynaecological appointments in Letterkenny University Hospital for routine and urgent referrals in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular from. — Pearse Doherty. [42760/20]

*437. To ask the Minister for Health if DJ music is permitted at weddings in line with the latest level 3 Covid-19 restriction guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42761/20]

*438. To ask the Minister for Health the legislative basis and the provision of legislation upon which the decision to refuse a cross-border directive application was made for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pearse Doherty. [42762/20] 3757

*439. To ask the Minister for Health if the National Gender Service recognises the WHO’s latest position on transgender persons that it has stopped classifying transgender persons as having a mental disorder since 25 May 2019; the locations of the HSE or National Gender Service clinics; the length of the waiting lists to attend; the number of persons on waiting lists for transgender services; if adult patients are asked to bring parents; the persons approved to attend with a minor; if transgender services are offered solely on a public basis; if there are private services available; if so, if they are they covered by private health insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [42765/20]

*440. To ask the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to a monetary bonus payment for all healthcare workers as an acknowledgement of their hard work throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Mairéad Farrell. [42766/20]

*441. To ask the Minister for Health the counties in which PrEP is currently available; the steps he will take to ensure universal access for those for whom it is recommended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Cian O’Callaghan. [42776/20]

*442. To ask the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). — . [42783/20]

*443. To ask the Minister for Health when additional services will be provided at a healthcare facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Smith. [42784/20]

*444. To ask the Minister for Health if sativex will be covered under the medical card scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Healy-Rae. [42785/20]

*445. To ask the Minister for Health if student nurses and student healthcare workers will be prioritised for the Covid-19 vaccine based on occupational data from his Department (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Gary Gannon. [42789/20]

*446. To ask the Minister for Health the current waiting time for a speech and language assessment in Dublin 9 and 11; if steps can be taken to improve on the waiting time of 12 to 18 months for an initial assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Róisín Shortall. [42790/20]

*447. To ask the Minister for Health if all student occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and radiology students will be paid for the work they carry out in hospital and healthcare settings as part of mandatory placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42791/20]

*448. To ask the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the issues raised in relation to the care afforded to vulnerable prisoners, notably those with a mental illness in the Council of Europe anti-torture Committee’s 7th periodic visit report on Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42792/20]

*449. To ask the Minister for Health the number of adults currently on waiting lists to see a psychiatrist in each of the HSE regions in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Holly Cairns. [42794/20]

P.T.O 3758

*450. To ask the Minister for Health the reason live music and dancing has been banned at weddings under level 3 restrictions under new Fáilte Ireland guidelines; and his role in contributing to the formulation of these guidelines. — Louise O’Reilly. [42802/20]

*451. To ask the Minister for Health when local exercise classes that take place in local community centres will be allowed to reopen. — Louise O’Reilly. [42804/20]

*452. To ask the Minister for Health when dupilumab for persons with eczema will be made available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Richard Boyd Barrett. [42807/20]

*453. To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the Mental Health (Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pauline Tully. [42533/20]

Chun an Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara: To the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

*454. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 894 of 17 November 2020, when an appeal will be processed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael McNamara. [42568/20]

*455. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a BEEP scheme payment for 2020 will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Brendan Griffin. [42582/20]

*456. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views or concerns in relation to the decision of Coillte to sell a site at Ballyandrew, Doneraile Mounadowna Wood, County Cork to a private company for the purposes of erecting a mobile phone mast given that the site is a mixed deciduous woodland site and its importance to biodiversity and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Bríd Smith. [42591/20]

*457. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jackie Cahill. [42597/20]

*458. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason his Department has stated that there is a debt outstanding from 2014 for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo in view of the fact that this person appealed this debt and the appeal was upheld and his Department has since made other payments to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Michael Ring. [42612/20]

*459. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the entire allocation of fishing quota for Irish fishers in each of the past 20 years, in tabular form; the breakdown of the quota by fish species; the way in which it is allocated by producer organisations and other representative groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42613/20]

*460. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of Irish fishing vessels that have taken place in each of the past 20 years by his Department; the number of prosecutions taken by the State against Irish fishers during this period; the scale of infringements and penalties in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42614/20] 3759

*461. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of inspections of foreign fishing vessels that have taken place in each of the past 20 years by his Department; the number of prosecutions taken by the State against non-Irish fishers during this period; the scale of infringements and penalties in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42615/20]

*462. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of logs of super trawlers fishing in waters off the coast of Ireland that have been recorded by his Department for each of the past 10 years by annual and monthly basis including the vessel name and country of registration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42616/20]

*463. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual breakdown of all SFPA operations on an annual basis for the past five years in which it boarded fishing vessels by vessel name, country of origin, purpose of boarding, if an infringement was detected and if so, the infringement in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42617/20]

*464. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the electronic logbooks input by super trawlers and monitored by the SFPA showing the total catch made by them in waters off Ireland in the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42618/20]

*465. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to seek access to quotas for Irish fishers for fish types such as bluefin tuna, anchovies and others in new EU quota negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42622/20]

*466. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to make capital investments in fishing ports during this term of Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42623/20]

*467. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote and support community-led and owned sustainable seaweed harvesting operations. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42625/20]

*468. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if bycatch reduction plans will be put in place in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — . [42635/20]

*469. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [42636/20]

*470. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being considered to ensure the rapid recovery of the Celtic Sea cod and Celtic Sea whiting to go above the level capable of producing MSY; the monitoring processes recommended by STECF being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [42637/20]

*471. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if measures such as CCTV will be put in place to ensure that all vessels benefitting from bycatch TACs in 2021 comply with full

P.T.O 3760 catch documentation; if not, the way in which Irish vessels will comply with the need for full catch documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Jennifer Whitmore. [42638/20]

*472. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times CASA aircraft were deployed to monitor the fishing activities of supertrawlers; the names of the vessels the aircraft were deployed to monitor in each of the past ten years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42650/20]

*473. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if environmental samples were gathered at any other meat processing plants since July 2020 other than in the course of the referenced pilot project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42657/20]

*474. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 25 November 2020, if he will provide all materials, reports, correspondence or findings in relation to the referenced pilot study. — Matt Carthy. [42658/20]

*475. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the role his Department’s veterinary staff have played in meat processing plants generally and specifically with regard to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42659/20]

*476. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if in the course of their general duties Departmental veterinary staff use a paper or computer-based system; if so when such a computer-based system was introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42660/20]

*477. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if Ordnance Survey maps will be provided to all farmers who will be obliged to fence watercourses as a result of nitrates requirements; the support his Department will provide to ensure farmers meet their requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42662/20]

*478. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the form the Teagasc support fund for agriculture students will take; the level of funding that will be made available to students; when payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42663/20]

*479. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the mechanism farmers should avail of to change their reference years in relation to the sheep welfare scheme if they have increased their stocking levels but are currently paid on historical stocking rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42665/20]

*480. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which applicants should engage with his Department regarding the announced farmer-led farm safety proposals to be funded under the European Innovation Partnership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42666/20]

*481. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Forestry dashboard provided to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas will be updated to include applications received and the status of the applications in order to provide a complete overview of the existing backlog within the forestry licensing process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Matt Carthy. [42667/20] 3761

*482. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42694/20]

*483. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered from tuberculosis programme defined feedlot herds in each of the years 2014 to 2019 and to date in 2020; if beef produced from feedlots can be included under the proposed PGI application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42719/20]

*484. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the weekly breakdown of the number of cattle slaughtered from tuberculosis programme defined feedlot herds in each week of 2019 and to date in 2020 in tabular form; the weekly feedlot kill as a percentage of the total weekly beef kill in each week; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42720/20]

*485. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of unannounced inspections in the 23 meat plants with mechanical grading to date in 2020; the corresponding figure for the nine plants without mechanical grading; the number of instances of factories being instructed to revert to manual classification when a machine was found to be working outside of tolerance; if he will he review the policy of not manually regrading carcasses which have already gone through the mechanical grading machines in advance of identifying a breach of the tolerances; the accuracy rate for conformation and for fat in 2019 and to date in 2020; his plans to review the current legislation which provides for an accuracy rate of 60% when the machines can easily operate at an accuracy rate of 90% for both conformation and fat cover; if he will provide the reference for the legislation in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42721/20]

*486. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the instances of non-compliance with carcase trim specifications his inspectors have identified in beef plants each month to date in 2020; when the names of plants involved will be published; the payments made to the farmer supplier to reflect loss; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42722/20]

*487. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the study into establishing the prevalence of mycoplasma bovis infection in the national herd has commenced; if the study will differentiate between feedlot produce beef and extensively produced beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42723/20]

*488. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will introduce legislation to allow farmers access to meat plant CCTV of their animals in view of the fact that such material is presently made available by meat plants to their customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Denis Naughten. [42739/20]

*489. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended by a trust (details supplied) on rehoming dogs outside of Ireland in each year since the trust was established; the amount from the budget of the trust that was spent on travel abroad and associated expenses over that time period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [42750/20]

*490. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended on flights, accommodation and other expenses per person involved in rehoming dogs abroad through the Greyhound Racing Ireland and or the Irish Greyhound Board and a trust (details supplied) in the

P.T.O 3762 past five years and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. — Catherine Murphy. [42751/20]

*491. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of active racing greyhounds exported in the past five years and to date in 2020; and the number of retired racing greyhounds exported in the past five years and to date in 2020. — Catherine Murphy. [42752/20]

*492. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures and protocols and the animal welfare and well-being standards in place regarding rehoming racing greyhounds abroad; the number of persons that accompany a dog for travel outside of Ireland; and if an official from Greyhound Racing Ireland and or a trust (details supplied) travel with the greyhound. — Catherine Murphy. [42753/20]

Chun an Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail: To the Minister for Rural and Community Development.

*493. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development her plans to create a national islands plan and to give legislative protection to Ireland’s island communities to ensure their economic and heritage sustainability into the future during her term of office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Pádraig Mac Lochlainn. [42621/20]

*494. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. — Bríd Smith. [42707/20]

*495. To ask the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a group (details supplied) can expect payment for phase one of a project; when its payment can be expected following submission of the invoices for phase two; and if she will make a statement on the matter. — Paul Kehoe. [42754/20]

Wt. 100480. 255. 12/20. Essentra. (85901). Gr. 30-15 Printed on re-cycled paper.